If you are looking for a friendly, relatively low-activity dog suitable for living indoors with a family, the Basset Hound is a great choice. However, you should be prepared to deal with some of its stubbornness and to take care of its health and special needs.
Breeding Basset Hound dog at home
The Basset Hound is a popular breed with a unique appearance and affectionate personality, making it a great choice for a home with a family. Here's some information about raising this dog at home:
Characteristics:
Appearance: It is characterized by its long, drooping ears, sensitive nose, long body, and short, muscular legs. Its coat is short and easy to care for, and comes in a variety of colors, including white, brown, black, or gray. Its eyes are large and expressive, often reflecting a friendly and melancholic personality.
Personality:
Friendly and sociable: It is considered a loving family dog and adapts well to children and other animals.
Calm: It is not an overly active dog, but it does require regular exercise to avoid obesity.
Somewhat stubborn: Due to its independent nature, training can sometimes be difficult, requiring patience and consistency.
Very strong sense of smell: It is known to be one of the best scent-tracking dogs, so it is often used for hunting. This strong sense can make it easily distracted by different odors in the home or outdoors.
Meaning of Name: The word "Basset" is derived from the French word for "low" or "short," referring to the shortness of its legs.
Life Expectancy: Approximately 12-13 years.
Weight: 20-30 kg.
Height: 28-38 cm.
Home Training Needs:
Requires early and consistent training due to its stubbornness.
Attention should be paid to its sense of smell, as this stimulates it mentally and prevents it from becoming distracted.
Puppy training outside is very important.
Physical Activity:
Although it is not hyperactive, it needs daily walks and some play to stimulate its physical activity and prevent obesity, especially since it has a tendency to gain weight.
Exercise 5 to 6 times a week is recommended.
Grooming:
Grooming: Its coat needs to be brushed about three times a week. Its coat is short and easy to care for.
Ears: Because of its long, drooping ears, they should be checked and cleaned regularly to avoid infections.
Teeth and Nails: Like any dog, it needs regular dental care and nail trimming.
Feeding:
Its diet should be house-fed, with the possibility of adding dry food two or three days a week at most.
Monitor its weight to avoid obesity, and provide it with high-quality food in appropriate quantities.
Space: The Basset Hound is a large animal and therefore requires sufficient space, whether in an apartment or a private home, although it can live happily in an apartment if it gets enough exercise.
Additional Tips for Raising a Basset Hound
Children and Other Pets: It is a very friendly and gentle dog with children and other dogs, making it suitable for families.
Scents: Due to its strong sense of smell, it may be easily attracted to different scents in or outside the home.
Stubbornness: Repeat commands patiently and consistently, and use rewards and positive reinforcement.
Important Considerations in Some Cultures:
There are differing views on keeping dogs indoors in some religions. Some Islamic legal opinions permit the keeping of hunting and guard dogs outside the home, and opinions differ regarding the general presence of dogs inside the home. It is best to consult reliable religious authorities to determine the prevailing opinion in your community if this matter is important to you.
